Sidecar Orange IPA
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.


- From:
- Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
- California, United States
- Style:
- American IPA
Ranked #4,260 - ABV:
- 6.8%
- Score:
- 84
Ranked #32,107 - Avg:
- 3.7 | pDev: 9.46%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 86
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Dec 30, 2025
- Added:
- Mar 20, 2018
- Wants:
- 5
- Gots:
- 51
We pushed the complex and citrus-heavy flavors of hops to a new level with this orange-infused IPA. Combining bright and bold hops with real orange in the fermenter creates layers of citrus-crazy flavors, yet it maintains a balance and a crisp hop bite that make it the perfect aromatic IPA.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by DraftMonger:
Reviewed by DraftMonger from Denmark
3.67/5 rDev -0.8%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.75
3.67/5 rDev -0.8%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.75
Copenhagen 25/8 2018. 35,5 cl bottle from Meny, Østerfælledtorv, Kbh Ø. White label looking a bit like some 1930s design. Another slightly stronger take on the Sidecar with Orange infusion.
Pours clear yellow with medium-sized white head. Settles as thin almost transparent layer of foam crawling up the side of the glass. Substantial lacing.
Aroma is subdued and fruity. Light sweet exotic fruits followed by stronger notes of Oranges and Grape fruit. Light sugary odor. Gets more character as the beer warms up.
Light carbonation. Slightly thick, lightly prickly yet soft texture.
Flavor is medium sweet followed by strong citric bitterness. Aftertaste is bitter with nice sweet touch of Orange. Finish is dry.
Slightly better than their other Sidecar and packs a decent kick.
Feb 16, 2025Pours clear yellow with medium-sized white head. Settles as thin almost transparent layer of foam crawling up the side of the glass. Substantial lacing.
Aroma is subdued and fruity. Light sweet exotic fruits followed by stronger notes of Oranges and Grape fruit. Light sugary odor. Gets more character as the beer warms up.
Light carbonation. Slightly thick, lightly prickly yet soft texture.
Flavor is medium sweet followed by strong citric bitterness. Aftertaste is bitter with nice sweet touch of Orange. Finish is dry.
Slightly better than their other Sidecar and packs a decent kick.
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by blueshawk69 from Kansas
4/5 rDev +8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev +8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
(review from March 2018) At 10 more ibus &1.5%alc more than last years Sidecar Pale, it doesn't seem as citrusy or orangey or as stellar? Still better love oranges for this one!
Dec 30, 2025Reviewed by joaopmgoncalves from Portugal
3.19/5 rDev -13.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
3.19/5 rDev -13.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Poured into a stemless glass.
A: Body is crystanille yellow showing a minimal white head that presents little to know retention.
S: Aroma is very powerful in tangerine, grapefruit, orange.
T: Taste starts with a very powerful tangerine like (I know the label states orange peel but it does taste a lot more like tangerine), moving on to a somewhat empty flavor only that only beats for a small note of hop.
M: Body is medium. Carbonation is medium to low. Alcohol is unnoticeable. Bitterness is medium.
O: Though it doesn't taste bad, I'd see this as a sub-par beer.
Jan 08, 2021A: Body is crystanille yellow showing a minimal white head that presents little to know retention.
S: Aroma is very powerful in tangerine, grapefruit, orange.
T: Taste starts with a very powerful tangerine like (I know the label states orange peel but it does taste a lot more like tangerine), moving on to a somewhat empty flavor only that only beats for a small note of hop.
M: Body is medium. Carbonation is medium to low. Alcohol is unnoticeable. Bitterness is medium.
O: Though it doesn't taste bad, I'd see this as a sub-par beer.
Reviewed by Maltyhead from Massachusetts
3.83/5 rDev +3.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
3.83/5 rDev +3.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Bottle from variety pack. It poured a 1/2” head, light honey but slightly cloudy color and surprisingly little aroma since it’s marketed as an orange IPA. It tasted very smooth, well crafted and I barely noticed a citrus flavor (which I prefer). The only con was that alcohol was one of the predominant flavors. Overall a very good beer.
Dec 18, 2019Reviewed by KTCamm from New Jersey
3.47/5 rDev -6.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
3.47/5 rDev -6.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
11/16/19...pours bright gold with very light foam sitting on top. Nose of orange peel. Very faint citrus. Fruity flavor hints of rind. Buzzy carbonation. Strong rind bitter to close. all orange.
Nov 28, 2019Reviewed by Peach63 from New York
4/5 rDev +8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev +8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours golden yellow to light orange, with 1/2 inch cream colored head. Light lacing.
Strong aroma of orange, orange zest, grapefruit.
Taste follows nose: Strong orange zest, grapefruit. Nice bitterness, which appears to come mostly from citrus zest.
Medium bodied, semi-dry mouthfeel. Bitter aftertaste.
This is a very good beer. Orange juice for grown ups.
Nov 05, 2019Strong aroma of orange, orange zest, grapefruit.
Taste follows nose: Strong orange zest, grapefruit. Nice bitterness, which appears to come mostly from citrus zest.
Medium bodied, semi-dry mouthfeel. Bitter aftertaste.
This is a very good beer. Orange juice for grown ups.
Reviewed by barnzy78 from Illinois
3.58/5 rDev -3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
3.58/5 rDev -3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
12oz bottle, PKG 06/13/19. Thanks to Ken for giving me a bottle to try! I had the Sidecar Orange Pale Ale a few years back, but didn't realize they changed the recipe into an IPA. Orange-copper colored ale with a foamy beige head that eventually dissipates to a thin layer of foam. Orange pith and zest, caramel, grain, and pine for aroma. Pungently bitter on the palate with bold notes of pine and orange zest, along with grapefruit, caramel malt, bread crust, and some earthy & spicy hops. Full body, very resinous with bitter hop oils building on the palate; moderate carbonation, and a punishing bitter finish. Orange has never been a favorite of mine in beer, and even though this is done well, I wouldn't get it again.
Sep 12, 2019
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